Datsun Ottawa Review – Honest Look at Trendy Décor and Disappointing Flavours – Average EV Score: 5.4/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Datsun Restaurant Overview
380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N3
Located on Elgin Street in Ottawa, Datsun is one of the city’s well-known restaurants that attracts crowds for its trendy décor and creative spin on Asian-inspired dishes. The space has lots of seating, and the decor is modern and stylish, making it feel like one of the more polished dining rooms in the area.
The staff were friendly and attentive, and the food came out relatively quickly despite how busy it was. However, there is a strict 1.5-hour seating time limit, which the servers reminded us of, so it’s best to keep that in mind when planning a night out. Reservations are highly recommended, as the restaurant fills up fast, especially on weekends.
Like many Elgin Street establishments, there is no dedicated parking lot, so you’ll need to find street parking nearby. This can be a bit frustrating at peak hours, but it’s typical for the area.
While most of the food tasted decent, one major drawback was the pricing. Several of the dishes felt overpriced for the portion size and quality, leaving us questioning the value. It’s a place where you pay for the atmosphere and branding as much as the food.
Would return?: No.
Beef Brisket Bao
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $9
🎯 Benchmark Price: $9
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The bao had the expected soft, fluffy texture that’s characteristic of a well-made steamed bun, but the filling was underwhelming. The beef brisket wasn’t as tender as it should have been, with pieces that were slightly stringy and lacking in richness. The roasted peanuts and fermented chili added some crunch and spice, but overall, the bao fell short of expectations. At the price, it didn’t feel worth it, and I wouldn’t order it again.
Tuna Tartare
😋 Enjoyment: 7.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $23
🎯 Benchmark Price: $18
📊 EV Score: 5.9/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This was one of the better dishes of the evening. The tuna was fresh and light, paired beautifully with the creamy avocado layered on top. The yuzu ponzu sauce added a slightly sweet, citrusy note that tied the dish together. The rice chicharons gave a bit of texture, though they didn’t add much flavour.
As one of the first dishes served, it made for a nice start. However, the portion size was small for the price, and while enjoyable, it didn’t quite justify the cost.
Chilled Sesame Noodles
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $17
🎯 Benchmark Price: $19
📊 EV Score: 4.9/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This dish looked promising but ended up being underwhelming. The noodles themselves were excellent, with a springy texture and good bite. Unfortunately, the rest of the ingredients didn’t add much. The oyster mushrooms, cucumber, spearmint, and Thai basil didn’t integrate well with the peanut dressing, leaving the dish feeling flat and unbalanced.
Once we saw the price, it made the disappointment sharper. It’s not something I’d crave again, and definitely not worth ordering for the cost.
Chicken Ramen
😋 Enjoyment: 4.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $21
🎯 Benchmark Price: $18
📊 EV Score: 3.9/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This was by far the weakest dish of the night. The broth looked thin and unappetizing as soon as it arrived, and unfortunately, the taste matched the appearance. It was plain, bland, and lacked any depth of flavour — almost like hot water with minimal seasoning. For a dish that should be warming and comforting, it failed completely.
The individual components were better. The teriyaki chicken thigh was well-cooked and flavourful, and the noodles were okay, though leaning slightly soggy. The rainbow chard and egg added colour but couldn’t salvage the dish. We ended up adding leftover sauce from the dandan noodles just to give it flavour. A disappointing misstep for something as iconic as ramen.
Dandan Noodles
😋 Enjoyment: 7.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $20
🎯 Benchmark Price: $17
📊 EV Score: 6.4/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The dandan noodles had a flavourful sauce, though it was more liquid than expected, which made it harder for the sauce to cling to the noodles and pork mince. Despite that, the flavour was good, with the chili bringing a nice heat. The pork mince was well cooked, tender, and savoury.
The noodles themselves had a great texture, chewy and satisfying, and the scallions added freshness. While tasty, it still felt overpriced for what you get, and the liquidity of the sauce took away from the overall enjoyment.
Final Thoughts
Datsun is a stylish and trendy restaurant that offers a pleasant atmosphere, quick service, and friendly staff. The seating is plentiful, and the décor gives it a polished, modern feel. However, the food didn’t consistently deliver, and the pricing makes it hard to justify returning regularly.
The tuna tartare and dandan noodles were decent, and the bao and sesame noodles were forgettable. The chicken ramen was outright disappointing, with a bland broth that felt like an afterthought.
Overall, Datsun feels like a place you visit more for the experience than for the food itself. Reservations are essential, and it’s nice for a night out in a lively part of Ottawa, but when it comes down to flavour and value, there are better options elsewhere.